The Marange diamond fields are an area of widespread small-scale diamond production in Chiadzwa, Mutare District, Zimbabwe. 'Although estimates of the reserves contained in this area vary wildly, some have suggested that it could be home to one of the world's richest diamond deposits'.[1] The hugely prolific fields are regarded by some experts as the world's biggest (in carats, not by value) diamond find in more than a century.[2] Production from Marange is controversial due to ongoing legal wrangles and government crackdowns on illegal miners and allegations of forced labour. In terms of carats produced, the Marange field is the largest diamond-producing project in the world, estimated to have produced 16.9 million carats in 2013, or 13% of global rough diamond supply. Marange is estimated to have produced 12 million carats in 2012, 8.7 million carats in 2011, and 8.2 million carats in 2010.[3] While some diamond mines produce rough valued at over $1000 per carat, average production at Marange is estimated at under $50 per carat.[4]
- ^ "Zimbabwe", Global Witness.
- ^ Inside Zimbabwe's controversial Marange diamond field "Zimbabwe", CNN, 16 March 2012.
- ^ Zimnisky, Paul (19 February 2014). "Marange May Not Be The Worlds Largest Diamond Producer For Much Longer". Kitco.
- ^ Zimnisky, Paul (6 February 2015). "Global Rough Diamond Production Estimated to Hit Over 135M Carats in 2015". Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics.